Means for mounting lenses



June 12, 1945. w. G. RlvEs MEANS FOR MOUNTING LENSES Filed sept. 29, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 12, 1945. w, G, RIVES 2,377,970

MEANS FOR MOUNTING LENSES Filed Sept. 29, 1941 l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E; :nl l 1:1 L .l E

/7 '/f/ f /7 i 52.55 23;; gea@- a E 5 r11-: E s 2.4 INVENTOR. 277/1@ v c/weo,

. 5 ff. s v BY Patented June 12, 1945 UNITED STATES 'PATENT OFFICE lvrEANs'F'on MOUNTING LIJN-sns William G. Rives, Las Vegas, N. Mex. Appuaumseptrber 29, 1941, serailu't. 412,851, s oaths. (c1. ss-m My invention. relates broadly to spectacles and more particularly to' means .for mounting lenses employed in eyeglasses and spectacles.

Oneof the `objects of myinvention is toLprovide a simplified construction of lens mounting meanslwhich is inexpensive in manufacture and highly durable in use and which entirely eliminates the need for securing screws and screw threaded straps. i

Anothier object of myy invention is to provide` anornamental arrangement of mountingmeans torlenses` in which the headed vends of fastening means are entirely eliminated While insuring a rigid` connection between the lenses and the lensmounting f L l `Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction of strap for mounting the lenses of spectacles in which the strap'isV shaped to embrace the edge and opposite faces of the lens adjacent the edge and the internal yportion ofthe straprecessed to receive securing means between the lens and the internal portions ofthe strap for insuring a rigid interconnection between the mounting `means and `the lens without the necessity of passing a fasten-A ing member entirely through the strap andv lens.

.A still further object of my invention is to provide anarrangement for mountinglenses in a spectacle frame which employs undercut strap`` like membersadapted to engagethe-edgesiand opposite faces of the lenses `with means for anchoring the strap members in position by a mass oirelativ'elylow melting pointrplastic material. r

Other and further objects of my inventiony rre-f side in the arrangement of fastening means interposed between a spectacle framestructure andeye'f-g'lass `lenses as will be set forth-more fully the specification hereinafter following by referericelto the accompanying drawings, in which:`

lFigure 1 isa i'ront elevational view of a specta'cle' embodying 'the construction of my invention; Fig. Zis airag'mentary top plan viewof one form of the lens mounting meansyFigQ 3 is a transverse sectional view talcenjthrough a portion of a lens and showing onel manner of mountinggthe lens in the lens mounting means; Fig. 4 is' atransverse sectional view through the lens mounting means illustrating the lens in position therein prior to the filling oi the lens mountingmeans'1 with plastic material; Fig. 5

shows the" lens mounting means of- Fig. 4 filled' with plastic material for mounting a-lens; Fig..

View `being taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a View of thelens mounting means of Figs. 2-6 and illustrating the manner of positioning the lensmounting means.; Fig. 8 shows a modifled form' of'construction-Or mounting a lens Within the lens mounting means, the View being taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 9; Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view taken on line B-f of Fig. 8; Fig. i@v is a sectional View through the lens and mounting means illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9; Fig. 1i shows a modified form of `lens mounting means embodying `my invention; Fig. 12 is a cross sectional View illustrating the manner of mounting the lens in the lensmounting means oiv -l1;Fig. 13 illustrates the method of assembly of the ylens the lens mounting means of Figs. 11 and 12; Fig.v14 is a sectional View through-the ylen-s and lens` mounting means of Figs.I lll-13 andshowing the plastic material in position for uniting `thelens and lens mounting means; Fig. 15; is` a.transverse sectional' view takenon line li-lxof'Fig. 14; Fig. 16 isa longitudin'al sectional View through a further modifiedform ofl lens mounting means and illustratthe lens about to be inserted in the lens mounting means;` Fig. `17 is a longitudinal secwithin the lens mountingrneans; Fig'. 184 is a longitudinalsectional View through a lens and lens mounting means and illustrating the manner of unitingthe lens and lens mounting means with the aid of `a plastic; Fig. 19 is a longitudinal sectional viewthrough the lens mounting meansy illustrated in Fig. 18; Fig'. 20 is a transverse seetion'al View through the lens mounting means taken. on line'2ll2l of Fig. 19; Fig. Zlis a View of .a further` modified form of lens mounting means.;` Fig. V22 is ya `View of a lens having a thread-like plastic extendingthrough the aperturedrv portion of the' lens and adapted to be ern- 'braced by theylens mounting means of Fig. 2l; Fig'. 23 yis 'a longitudinal sectional View through the lens of Fig. 22 and mounting means of Fig. 21jand showing the V'manner in which the threadlike plastic isutreated to effect a rigid'connecton- Vbetween the lens and the lens mounting means; Fig. `24 is a' `transverse sectional View taken online 24-24 of Fig. 23; and Fig. 25 isalongitudinal sectional View through a further modified form of lens mounting means ernbody` ing my invention.`

, Reterringto the drawings in detail, reference character .I designates a pair of spectacles having-frames-constructed accordanceA with my invention for supporting the lenses indicated at 2. The bridge is represented at 3 connected through resilient strip members 4 with the lens mounting means 5. The temples of the spectacles which are designated at 6 are hingedly connected at I with the ends of the resilient strips 1 which connect to the lens mounting means 8.

The lens mounting means of my invention may be constructed in various forms which I have illustrated in the several views shown in Figs. 2-25, inclusive.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. 2-7 the lens mounting meansl 8 for the lens 2 is shown with a longitudinally extending groove II therein extending in the transverse path indicated at IIa across the lens mounting means. Recesses IIb are provided in the grooved portion II of the lens mounting means 8 to provide an interlocking connection for plastic material serving as the binding medium between the lens 2 and the lens mounting means 8. The transverse portion of the groove II indicated at IIa is also provided with a recessed portion IIc into which the plastic material may be interlocked. In order to eiect engagement between the grooved portion of the lens mounting means 8 and the lens 2 without the use of securing screws or bolts, I provide a metallic strap I2 which has a width which is somewhat less than the width of the groove II. The strap I2 is adapted to be bent upon itself and carriesv an f auxiliary strip I4 fastened to one end thereof. The auxiliary strip I4 and the strap I2 are capable of being passed through the aperture I5 drilledin lens 2. The strap I2 may be bent upon itself with the ends I2a and I2b thereof lying immediately adjacent each other and with the auxiliary strip I4 extending adjacent thereto and having the ends I4a and I4b thereof extending in overlapping relationship to the strap I2 inthe arrangement illustrated in Figs. 2-9 or with the ends I4a and I4b extending in a direction away from strap I2. as represented in Fig. 10. The ends I4a and I4b of the auxiliary strip serve as an additional anchor in the plastic material I6 which fills the space between the lens 2 and the lens mounting means 8 as illustrated more clearly in Figs. 5-6 and Figs. 8-9. The groove I I is lledwith plastic material having a low melting point and which' while soft seeps around the strap I2 and into the recesses IIb and IIc in the groove II and forms when hardened a rigid connection between the lens 2 and the lens mounting means 8. The lens mounting means 8 is provided with ears 8a and 8b which form a seat for the peripheral edge of the lens.

In addition to the recesses in the lens mounting means 8 which I have described I may provide lateral recesses IId in the sides of the lens mounting means 8 into which the plastic material I6 may expand while in a plastic condition and form an interlock between the lens mounting means 8 and the lens 2 when the plastic has hardened.

In the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 11-15 I have shown the lens mounting means divided into two portions I1 and I8. The portion I1 shown more clearly in Figs. 12 and 13 is provided with a groove I9 therein in the interior sides and inner end thereof into which the lens 2 may be moved. It will be observed that the lens mounting means I'I has arms of different lengths, that is, one arm Illa is longer than the arm I'Ib. Both arms embrace opposite sides of the lens 2. A strap member 20 is provided fastened at one end to the portion I8 of the lens mounting means and bent to shape to pass through aperture I5 in the lens and wrapped around a groove 2a in the edge of the lens and extending in contact with the opposite face of the lens as represented at 20a. The reason for providing the groove 2a in the edge of the lens is to center the strap 2|] and prevent dislodgment thereof as the lens2 is moved into the lens mounting means and to insure the exact centering of the lensWith respect to the center of the lens mounting means. 'I'he lens 2 with the strap 20 in position may then be tilted to enter the lens mounting means I'I as illustrated in Fig. 13 with the plastic solder or plastic material 2l accumulated thereon in suiiicient quantity to fill the groove I9 when the lens 2 is slid into position as illustrated in Fig. 13. The groove I9 is supplemented by recesses Illa and ISlb in the opposite interior faces of groove I9 and by recess in the inner end of lens mounting means I1. When the lens 2 is moved to the position illustrated in Fig. 14 where the face I8a of lens mounting means I8 directly contacts the face IIc of lens mounting means I1, heat is applied to the plastic solder or plastic material 2| which solidies and expands and forms an interlock between the lens 2 and the lens mounting means I'I-It. Various shapes of joints between faces I8a and IIc may be provided to insure a rigid and substantially invisible joint between the lens mounting means and the lens. For

example, as I have shown in Fig. 25, the lensr mounting means I'I may be undercut on a bias as represented at I'Id, while the coacting portion I8 of the lens mounting means may be cut at an angle indicated at Illb complementary to the angular disposition of the face I'Id whereby a rigid joint is assured between the two portions of the lens mounting means and a substantial interlock obtained between the lens 2 and the lens mounting means.

I have illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17 a further modified form of my invention in which the lens mounting means illustrated at 22 is provided with a multiplicity of inwardly directed projections 22a disposed in the groove 23 which extends interiorly of the lens mounting means 22. These inwardly extending projections 22a form guide means against which the strap 20 and the turned portion 20a thereof contact and slide for firmly anchoring the lens 2 which carries the strap 20 in position. The plastic solder or other plastic material of low melting point is accumulated on the strap 2li-20a before the lens 2 is moved into the lens mounting means. This plastic material seepsfbetween the lugs 22a and into the recess 22h in the end of the lens mounting means 22.- When heated, the plastic solder or plastic material expands and solidies forming a rigid interconnection between the lens 2 and the lens mounting` means 22. The fact that lens 2 is grooved at its edge at 2a provides a positive centering means for the strap V2li and insures the entry of strap 20 into groove 23 without dislodgment.

In Figs. 18-20 I have illustrated a further form of my invention in which the lens mounting means 22 is provided with recessed pockets in the inner face of groove 23 substantially in the shape of saw teeth indicated at 24. These saw tooth-like recesses serve as means within which the plastic solder or plastic material may expand and form a multiplicity of abutments restraining the release or removal of the lens 2 from the lens mounting means. The recess 22b in the inner end of the -lensmounting means serves as hereinbei'ore explained, to receive the f Ik plastic material and fa cilitate `the interlocking connection between the The pockets 21|l lens and lens. mounting means. are so shaped that the solidified plastic forms teeth-like members which abut with the tooth' trated for example in Fig. 22 at 25. The rubber band has the oppositeends thereof drawn through aperture l in lens 2I and the ends extended adjacent the opposite faces of the lens 2 as represented at a and 256. The lens mounting means 22 illustrated in Fig. 16 provided with the ine wardly projected projections 22a serves to receive the lens`2 with the rubber band 25 thereon by a longitudinal movement of the lens shown in Fig. 22 into the lens mounting means shown in Fig. 2l. Heat is then applied to melt the rubber band 25, the material of which melts and runs into the crevices between projections 22a in groove 23 lling the space between the lens 2 and the lens mounting means 22 and interlocking the lens 2 rigidly with the lens mounting means 22 as illustrated more clearly in Figs. 23 and 24.

While I have described my invention in certain of its preferred embodiments, I realize that various modifications of the constructions illustrated herein may be employed and it is my intention that Various modifications and .arrangements terposed between thefgroovedportion of said bithe aperture in the lens, a bifurcated member having a pair of arms embracing opposite side faces of the lens, said arms being internally grooved with the grooves having a section substantially conforming with the contour `of the section of the said strap and adapted to slide over the said strap for embracing the lens adjacent one edge thereof, with portions of said strap disposed within the grooves of said member, and a packing of plastic material interposed between the grooved portion of said bifurcated member, said strap and said lens, the grooved portion'of said bifurcated member having recesses spaced at intervals along the inner faces of the grooves for receiving expanded plastic material and establishing a iirm interlock between the lens and the bifurcated member.

2. Lens mounting means comprising in combination with an optical lens apertured adjacent the periphery thereof, a metallic strap extending through the aperture in the lens vand lying in surface contact with the opposite faces of the lens on opposite sides of the aperture in the lens,

a bifurcated member having a pair of arms embracing opposite faces of the lens, said arms being internally grooved and having a section substantlally `conforming with the section of the said metallic strap and adapted to slide over the said metallic strap for embracing the lens adjacent furcated memberpsaid metallicA strap and said lens,- the groovedlportiorr of saidv bifurcated member havingpockets-of tooth-like contour for receiving-expandedhplastic material and serving as abutments for interlocking .throughsaid plastic material thel bifurcated member and said lens.

3. Lens mounting means comprising in combination with an optical lens apertured adjacent the.` periphery thereof, a metallic strap extending through the aperturei in the lens and lying in contact with the opposite faces of the lens, a. bifurcated member having a pair of arms embracing opposite sides `of the lens, said arms being internally grooved and having 'a section substantially conforming with they section-of the said metallic lstrap 4and adapted to slide over the said metalliclstrapl for embracing/the lens adjacent one edgethereof, withv portions ofsaid metallic strap disposed within the grooves'of said member and extending substantiallyparallel with said arms, and a packing of plastic 4material interposed between the grooved portion of said bifurcated member, said metallic strap and said lens, the grooved portions of said bifurcated member having inwardly extending projections adapted to enter the plastic material and establish a rm interlock therewith for rigidly mounting said lens with respect to said bifurcated member.

4. Lens mounting means comprising in combination with an optical lens apertured adjacent one edge thereof, a metallic strap looped through the aperture in the lens and around the edge thereof and extending substantially parallel with opposite faces of said lens, said metallic strap carrying a supplemental strap having its opposite ends extending adjacent thereto and projecting ,through the aperture in the lens and extending substantially parallel with the faces of the aforesaid metallic strap, a bifurcated member having a grooved portion embracing said strap and supplemental strap, and a filling of plastic material interposed between said strap, said supplemental strap, said lens and the grooved portion of said bifurcated member for interlocking said lens and bifurcated member.

5. Lens mounting means comprising in combination with an optical lens apertured adjacent one edge thereof, a metallic strap looped through the aperture in the lens and around the edge thereof, said metallic strap carrying a supplemental strap projecting through the aperture in the lens and having the ends extending substantially parallel with the faces of the aforesaid strap,

a,bifurcated member having an internal groove substantially embracing portions of said strap and supplemental strap and extending substantially parallel with the surfaces of portions of said straps, and a filling of plastic material between said strap, said supplemental strap, said lens and the grooved portion of said bifurcated member for establishingl an interlocking connection between said bifurcated member and said lens.

6. Lens mounting means comprising in combination with a lens apertured adjacent the periphery thereof, a flat band-like strap extending through the aperture in the lens, a bifurcated member having a pair of arms containing aligned grooves shaped to substantially conform with the contour of the cross section of said flat bandlike strap and engageable with said strap with portions -of said strap extending substantially parallel with said arms within said grooves and a packing of plastic material between the aligned grooves in said bifurcated member and said strap for interlocking said bifurcated member' and said lens adjacent one edge of the lens. v

'7. Lens mounting means comprising in combination with a lens apertured adjacent the periphery thereof, a hat strap extending through'the aperture in the lens `and lying in surface contact with the opposite faces of Vthe lens, a bifurcated member having a pair of arms containing aligned grooves substantially conforming with the contour of the cross section of said strap and engageable with said strap, portions of said strap extending substantially parallel with said arms within said grooves, and a packing of plastic material between the grooves in said bifurcated member and said strap for interlocking said bi-` furcated member and said lens, thev grooves in said bifurcated member including recessed pockets therein for receiving the packing of yplastic material whereby said bifurcated member may be secured to said lens. v

8. Lens mounting means comprising in combination with an optical lens apertured adjacent the periphery thereof, a flat strap extending through the aperture in the lens and lying in contact with the opposite faces of the lens, a bifurcated member having a pair of arms embracing opposite sides of the lens and extending substantially parallel with the faces of said flat strap, said arms being internally grooved with the internal groove having a section substantially conforming with the contour of the section of the ilat strap and adapted to slide over the said strap for embracing the lens adjacent one edge thereof, and a packing of plastic material interposed between the grooves in said bifurcated member, said strap and said lens, the grooves in said bifurcated member including recesses therein for receiving expanded plastic material therein for establishing a rm interlock between said bifurcated member and said lens.

WILLIAM G. RIVES. 

